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FanFest a big hit in Bay Area

FanFest a big hit in Bay Area

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By Becky Regan
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MLB.com |

SAN FRANCISCO -- As All-Star week comes to a close, so does FanFest, after a successful five-day run that treated fans to a slice of baseball heaven that made All-Star week an experience everyone could enjoy.

It's safe to say that well over 100,000 people attended FanFest this year. Morgan Littlefield, director of special events for Major League Baseball, said she wouldn't be surprised if the San Francisco fans set a new attendance record.

Littlefield has helped organized FanFests for the past 12 years, and said this year's event couldn't have gone any better.

"It was a beautiful city and a beautiful backdrop for FanFest," Littlefield said. "It was definitely one of the best ever, attendance-wise, operational-wise and player-wise."

The thousands of fans who poured into The Moscone West Convention Center were treated to batting and bullpen cages, an onslaught of baseball memorabilia and an exhibition of baseball history, and that history came alive with players of the past on site.

"I think one of the most exciting things was the player lineup," Littlefield said.

Legends like Bob Feller, Vida Blue, Juan Marichal, Willie Mays and many more all made appearances at FanFest. More recent players like J.T. Snow, Cal Ripken Jr. and Nick Swisher, among others, hosted clinics and greeted kids at FanFest.

With so many clinics and exhibits, there was almost too much ground to cover in a mere five days. But the National Baseball Hall of Fame exhibit was something most people made time for.

"It's one thing to have it in Detroit or New York, where people are within driving distance of Cooperstown, but most people here probably haven't been there," Littlefield said. "It's great to bring a taste of Cooperstown to San Francisco."

It wasn't just San Francisco locals who got the feel for Cooperstown. Fans from all over the nation came together to celebrate baseball for five days. There was a lot of Giants orange, but just as much Athletics green.

But no matter what color fans were wearing, everyone looked like they enjoyed themselves from start to finish.

Becky Regan is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.